Jeremy Carrette, Professor of Religion and Culture, and Hugh Miall, Professor in International Relations, are working on a research project to explore the interaction between religious non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and the United Nations (UN).

With the predomination of global organisations, religious NGOs have an ever increasing influence on international political decisions and processes. This research will not only explore the type, density and number of religious NGOs, but also their motivations, rationale and success in their involvement in UN decision-making. The aim is to develop an understanding of who these groups represent, and the aims of their lobbying in shaping issues related to global governance.

In considering issues of legitimacy, power and influence, this work will bring together an international team of academics including Professor Evelyn Bush, Department of Sociology, Fordham University, as well as NGO and diplomatic consultants. There are also two post-doctorate researchers, Dr Verena Beittinger-Lee in New York and Dr Sophie-Helene Trigeaud in Geneva. As well as hosting two international colloquia to be held at Kent, one of the key outcomes of the project will be the establishment of a new Centre for the Study of Religion and Global Governance.

The 3 year project is funded by a grant of £427,736 from the Arts and Humanities Research Council as part of its Religion and Society Programme.

Find out more:

• Further information about Jeremy Carette and Hugh Miall.
• More about Religious Studies in the School of European Culture and Languages at the University of Kent.
• More about research in the School of Politics and International Relations at the University of Kent.

Related courses at Kent:

Postgraduate courses (Master's and PhDs)

• Politics and International Relations postgraduate degree programmes
• Theology & Religious Studies postgraduate degree programmes

Undergraduate courses (Bachelor's)

• Politics and International Relations undergraduate degree programmes
• Religious Studies undergraduate degree programmes